52 Ways to Joy - Take Notice

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.
- Unknown

What are you missing right outside your front door that could bring you a moment of joy today?

Spring has been showing signs of emerging here on Long Island. Slowly Mother Nature is slipping in signs of life, but sometimes we really have to look to find them.

The trees are beginning to bud, the crocus plants are peeking out from under the dirt, the local garden centers are colorful beacons as we drive past them on the way to work or on errands.

 Step outside and smell the flowers! Take a deep breath of fresh air to clear away the cobwebs in your mind.

With only 24 hours in a day and a million and one things on our agendas every day, it's so hard to miss the little things blooming right under our noses. It's hard to miss the smile of accomplishment of your toddler who's just zipped his jacket by himself for the first time when you're late for that appointment.

It's hard to notice your teenager didn't need to be reminded to take out the garbage when you're making dinner, helping with homework, doing laundry and trying desperately to finish the chapter of your novel.

But we should. Actually, we MUST.

Because joy is in the small moments, the smallest details...it's not always in the biggest achievements.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes walking around a small neighborhood garden center and came home with this pansy pot for next to my front door. The perfect spot to be noticed when I walk out in the morning and again when I walk back in on my home from my day at work. It's going to be hard not to smile when I walk by.

Today, your mission is to notice something small around you. Something you might miss if you weren't looking for it.

I wish you joy on whatever path your travel this week!

 *52 Ways to Joy is a weekly post to celebrate the simple ways to bring joy into your life and those around you. It's about the small moments that makes memories and give us all a sense of contentment in the crazy world we live in. If you're joining me here for the first time, by clicking on the label  "52WTJ" you can read the previous posts!

** Because I love my readers and am grateful you choose to spend some time with me each week, all comments from April 1 to April 30th are automatically entered into my monthly drawing for a 3 pack of mini travel-sized handmade soaps. Details and the scents for the month can be found on the "contest rules" page.